Nineteen Merton groups receive £52,644 from Clarion Futures for free activities chosen by a community panel.
The Merton Community Panel, which includes Clarion residents and Merton councillors, decided who received the money. Clarion Futures provided the funds, and the panel chooses projects that aim to improve neighborhoods and help Merton.
The funded activities meet local needs identified by the panel. These activities include parkour lessons, boxing and football for girls, allotments and gardening access, drama classes, and bullying awareness classes.
TM Boxing in Mitcham will benefit from funds allocated for “Girls Can Box Too.” This program provides boxing fitness sessions at the Eastfields gym. Girls will learn boxing skills, self-defense, and about nutrition and healthy diets.
May Project Gardens in Morden also received funds to expand their Hip Hop Garden. This program combines music and nature, providing young people with wellbeing support while they learn gardening skills. The program also includes work advice and teaches about event management.
London Parkour Project will use its funds to teach parkour to children at St Peter & St Paul Primary in Mitcham. The panel also granted Deen City Farm £15,000 to support their community work.
Matt Parsonage of Clarion Futures stated that the projects offer great experiences and opportunities for people. He said they team up with the panel to meet the needs of residents. Projects range from parkour and gardening to everything in between.
Ovando Carter, founder of London Parkour Project, described the partnership as amazing. He highlighted their fifteen-year history of building communities and mentoring youth. Carter acknowledged that finding funding can be difficult, as some groups lack understanding.
Clarion Futures funding helps them reach youth, and the Merton Community Panel is also helpful. Carter is excited about the future, where they will tackle youth violence using parkour to engage youth, with the support of Clarion Futures and their partners who share a desire to help.